J (Jakob) Derks MSc

J (Jakob) Derks MSc

Promovendus

I am a forester studying the variety of forest management approaches in Europe, mainly from a social perspective. I am interested in the role of aesthetic preferences and the perceived importance of various ecosystem servies in shaping our forest landscapes. The aim of my PhD is to get an overview of the social potential and the variety of nature-inclusive forest management in Europe. This will add to the knowledge of its biophysical potential ,which is extensively studied by other researchers.

I have a educational and professional background in forest management, but my interests also include other types of human-influenced landscapes such as parks and urban green spaces. I have previously worked for a private forest owner organisation and the European Forest Institute, and currently work part-time as a consultant on forest management and natural heritage. I hope that the combination of this hands-on work with my research as WUR can be mutually beneficial.